IVF treatment procedures

IVF treatment is a very complicated and long drawn procedure. One must approach it with patience and a willingness to comply with all the tenets that the treatment is built upon. IVF clinics may vary the treatment a little according to what the patientís condition demands and different clinics may have different methods. The basic methods of IVF treatment however, remain the same. The first step to the treatment is to find the right clinic which complies with factors like availability of resources, cost and quality of treatment. After deciding the clinic, the next step is to understand that IVF treatment happens in cycles and the success rate of conception varies. Patients must also be ready to face any disappointment.

The person in the beginning of the first cycle is generally put on birth control pills in order to curb the appearance of ovarian cysts and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The doctor will also need to the cycle of ovulation and must be informed with any detection of ovulation. A GnRH antagonist is given after ovulation starts. Progesterone pills may also be administered to bring on the period. The second day of the menstruation cycle may call for an ultrasound and blood work in order to check the size of the ovary and also detect cysts which may the delay the process of the treatment and to check the estrogen level in the body. If all is well then the fertility drugs will be given to stimulate the ovary which will lead to the growth of the follicles. Monitoring this cycle via blood works and ultrasounds is necessary to determine the hormonal levels in the body and oocyte growth.

Next the growth of the follicles will be accelerated with medicines like Ovidrel and Novarel. Most cancellations happen at this level as the eggs are either too small or are considered overripe. After around 36 hours of the last shot egg retrieval is undertaken and this is done under the influence of a light sedative. The process is done with the help of a transvaginal ultrasound used to guide a needle which will aspirate the follicles. The fluid is then taken to the laboratory to identify the eggs.

The next step is egg fertilisation where the eggs separated from extraneous variables is incubated with the semen on a culture dish. After around 18 hours of incubation the egg fertilises and then the selection process begins. The fertilised eggs are transferred after 3 to 5 days of retrieval. Usually multiple transfers are done to increase the success rate but it might also lead to multiple pregnancies. This is done by using a catheter and guiding it through the vagina and cervix. After the transfer there is usually a waiting period of 10 to 12 days after which pregnancy tests are done to determine the result.

Before IVF treatment the patient must warm up to ideas to increased bodily surveillance and also tricks like self-injecting oneself to achieve good results.